How to Style the Archive by Alexa Ruffled Blouse #iwillwearwhatilike

SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

I finally made a decision over the M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry Blouse – it was a keeper after all…!

I’d been wrangling over whether to keep it after talking about my concerns over wearing something so hyped, but you know what?

Sometimes you have to remember that what you see constantly online isn’t necessarily what happens IRL (in real life), and just because I kept seeing it all over Instagram and Twitter doesn’t mean I’m going to see it on every person walking down the street.

So thanks to many of you who told me to keep it (thank you!), I did – and wore it in London over the weekend. It was one reader’s great suggestion to wear it with distressed denim to counteract the feminine ruffles, and I went one step further and added my black biker jacket as well.

The verdict: I like it. No, I really like it. Ruffles are quite different to anything I normally wear (I think this is a first), and although it’s not the sort of top you can style that many different ways I think it’s such a great statement piece. Plus there’s that nostalgia thing I mentioned, so a reminder of my first ever fashionable piece of clothing is no bad thing.

The Harry blouse is unsurprisingly almost completely sold out (I think some people must have returned theirs so a couple of sizes are in stock), but if you scroll down you’ll see some other pieces I’ve found if you do want to jump on board the ruffles train.

So of course this week’s #iwillwearwhatilike theme is ruffles – so do add your outfits to this week’s link up. You may be featured next week if you’ve linked up something ruffly!

ARE YOU ON BOARD WITH THE RUFFLES TREND? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!

SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb

SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: Distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans, black biker jacket, orange tote, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Style: M&S Archive by Alexa ruffled Harry blouse, distressed boyfriend jeans | Not Dressed As Lamb
M&S Archive by Alexa Harry blouse | ASOS jeans (similar distressed boyfriend jeans) | Debenhams biker jacket (similar black leather biker jacket) | Hobbs Adlington tote bag c/o | Daniel Footwear pointed flats c/o (I love these black and white pointed flats with a red heel) | ASOS oversized round sunglasses

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

#iwillwearwhatilike | Not Dressed As Lamb
Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!

The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!

An InLinkz Link-up


RELATED  Second Hand September: Charity Shops and Shopping Your Own Wardrobe

PLEASE NOTE
This is for linking up what you’ve been wearing (or would like to wear) only. I like to keep it all looking tidy because I’m a bit of a neat-freak, so non-outfit links will be removed – it’s only fair to others linking up!

 

Please be a good sport and do the following…

1. Follow your host Not Dressed As Lamb via Bloglovin or Instagram
2. Link up your outfits (blog or Instagram posts) that show how you choose to wear what you like – as many as you like!
3. Include a link back to the post if you’re linking from a blog post, or add my button (below)
4. Post your outfit on Instagram (if you use it) with the hashtag #iwillwearwhatilike – Monday’s the day to join in the IG fun
5. Please do not link up anything other than outfits, shoes, accessories or make-up  non-outfit links will be removed. This link up is for linking up what you’ve been wearing (or would like to wear) only
6. Visit some of the other links and share the love!

 

Featured favourites

Fashion bloggers in jumpsuits and dungarees #iwillwearwhatilike

My favourite JUMPSUITS and DUNGAREES from last week’s link up:

(L-R) Vanity & Me | Suzanne Bell | The Lady of Style | Kremb de la Kremb | Fake Fabulous | Retrochicmama

To get yourself featured next week, link up something following this week’s theme and make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!

42 Comments

  1. 6 May 2016 / 2:33 pm

    Stunning, love how you've toughened it up with jeans and leather-adore the shoot too. Gorgeous as always x

  2. 6 May 2016 / 1:06 am

    Beyond the fact that everything about you looks positively fresh, new, these days, love, I'm adoring the fact that you're now taking pictures in the streets 🙂 such a new vibrancy to everything xoxo

  3. 5 May 2016 / 11:16 am

    Oh gosh! I'm so glad you liked my turquoise jumpsuit Catherine! How exciting!! I always appreciate the traffic I receive from Not Dressed as Lamb. Thank you!

    I know what you mean about hyped up items. I'm the same, but then when there's a good thing, you gotta go with it. And this blouse on you is a good thing!

    I'm linking up a trend that I LOVE but I feel is definitely too popular–the off the shoulder trend. But I'll tell you what: this style looks good on my sloping (nonexistent!) shoulders, so I'm going to wear the heck out of this style! You'll be able to see…

    Thank you for the link up.

    Love, Ann

  4. 5 May 2016 / 10:50 am

    Oh gosh! I'm so glad you liked my turquoise jumpsuit Catherine! How exciting!! I always appreciate the traffic I receive from Not Dressed as Lamb. Thank you!

    I know what you mean about hyped up items. I'm the same, but then when there's a good thing, you gotta go with it. And this blouse on you is a good thing!

    I'm linking up a trend that I LOVE but I feel is definitely too popular–the off the shoulder trend. But I'll tell you what: this style looks good on my sloping (nonexistent!) shoulders, so I'm going to wear the heck out of this style! You'll be able to see…

    Thank you for the link up.

    Love, Ann

  5. 4 May 2016 / 3:44 pm

    I really like the blouse, and especially how you've styled it with jeans and a biker jacket. It doesn't really matter if you see other people wearing it, if you look and feel good in it that's all that matters!

    Emma xxx
    style-splash.com

  6. 3 May 2016 / 5:34 pm

    Love the way you styled them adding some edgy bits with leather and jeans. Way cool. And your hair looks phantastic! xo Sabina

  7. 3 May 2016 / 3:54 pm

    Hi Catherine! I've been away from blogging for a while and I have to say that your hair looks amazing! And I love the contrast between the soft pink ruffles and the black leather. Fantastic! I could never pull off the ruffle look (I don't think.), but you are absolutely rocking it! Thanks for the fun link up as well!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  8. 3 May 2016 / 3:19 pm

    You look great! Love your hair by the way.

  9. 3 May 2016 / 1:14 pm

    I think your ruffled shirt looks great with the distressed denim and moto jacket! You look amazing in this outfit! Would I wear it? Probably not, I never cared for too much frill on top for my body type.

  10. 3 May 2016 / 11:41 am

    I will always be a ruffles kind of gal no matter what! Love how you made it edgier with the jacket – Come check out my latest collab with CHICWISH and let me know what you think of the LBD! Have a great week!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  11. 3 May 2016 / 11:40 am

    I adore this look, I think pairing the feminine ruffled shirt with the distressed denim is brilliant and then throwing on a motorcycle jacket just makes the look perfect! Also, I love your new Doo Catherine! Thank you for hosting.
    Make sure to come on over and link up this great look on The SHOE AND TELL Fashion Link Up, NOT just for shoes, on STYLE NUDGE.

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com
    STYLE NUDGE

  12. 3 May 2016 / 8:25 am

    You look simply fantastic! Love your look – this hair, this outfit – beautiful! 🙂

  13. 3 May 2016 / 5:13 am

    You styled this ruffle top perfectly. The moto jacket and distressed denim really balanced out the sweetness of the top.

    Thank you for hosting and hope you are having a fab week!

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

  14. 3 May 2016 / 2:47 am

    Joining your link up for the first time Catherine. Thanks for hosting. Love this outfit you are wearing. It's a little different to your norm I think. Quite neutral and minimal, you look gorgeous.

  15. 2 May 2016 / 8:14 pm

    Oh yes, this is a very good example of perfect styling. Indeed. Apart from my love for everything, I especially love the shoes with it as well (as I am looking for pointy toed flats). Great look.
    Greetje

  16. 2 May 2016 / 7:46 pm

    What a badass outfit…feminine but edgy! LOVE IT!!!

    xo,
    Janise

  17. 2 May 2016 / 7:23 pm

    I love that soft rock look on you Catherine. It's good to step out of our comfort zone sometimes isn't it? The leather jacket is a great ploy against this pink blouse, and pairing them up with these ripped jeans are just another little fashion tweak that's so right for you. I loved your award outfit over the weekend and was gutted that you didn't win. You looked a dream x
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  18. 2 May 2016 / 7:22 pm

    I love this blouse even more after seeing it on you! The perfect shade of blue and I love the juxtaposition with the denim and leather. Such a great look!

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  19. 2 May 2016 / 6:52 pm

    The only thing ruffled I have for this week's linkup are my nerves! Hahaha. Your photos are stunning, simply stunning! Thanks, Catherine, for the linkup. Your soft pink ruffles look great contrasted with those hardy pieces.

  20. 2 May 2016 / 6:14 pm

    I love to wear very feminine items with an edgy item. I love this style!

  21. 2 May 2016 / 6:00 pm

    Catherine…not only does this look superb on you, I think it's something that every "real" woman across the countries could & would wear!! A little feminine, a little masculine, very stylish & great fitting!!
    So glad you kept the blouse—and I have to say, I haven't seen anyone else in person wearing it!!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
    thanks for hosting!

  22. 2 May 2016 / 5:49 pm

    LOVE that ruffled blouse to pieces! You look adorable as can be!!

  23. 2 May 2016 / 5:21 pm

    I have a saying "I never met a ruffle I did not love!" and your top certainly fits the bill. Looking lovely as always, Catherine.

  24. 2 May 2016 / 5:01 pm

    I love, love your hair. It gets better in every post. Great photography too.
    Besos
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  25. 2 May 2016 / 4:26 pm

    I love ruffles! They are so romantic and glam! Thank you for hosting dear! I'm linking back to you HERE And… you are welcome any time to join my
    monthly FASHION LINKUP

  26. 2 May 2016 / 4:16 pm

    How on earth did you manage to make ruffles so EDGY?? I love this look! Especially with those demure flats — such a fun mix-up of classics!!

    Xoxo,

    Ashley || Sed Bona

  27. 2 May 2016 / 2:50 pm

    No one would ever know that this is your very first ruffled piece, dearest Catherine…you're wearing your new blush-pink blouse like a total pro!! 😉 It really is the perfect counterpoint to an edgy jeans and moto jacket combo; and since THAT particular combo happens to be one of my faves, I may just have to follow your lead and invest in some ruffles for my OWN wardrobe!! P.S. These street-style photos are simply stunning!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  28. 2 May 2016 / 2:46 pm

    I really like how you styled this ruffled blouse! On it's own, I would think it's too feminine. But the distressed jeans and biker jacket are perfect with it! I also really like your shoes! And perfect bag!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    • 4 May 2016 / 9:36 am

      You're definitely right about it being feminine, Andrea! Was there ever a more feminine style thank this one…?!! hehe thank you sweetie x

  29. 2 May 2016 / 2:18 pm

    I love anything feminine with black leather-what great street wear. I could see me wearing this on a First Friday art walk.

  30. 2 May 2016 / 2:17 pm

    Honestly? I don't think I've EVER seen anyone look more at home in this blouse than you do. Even Alexa looks like she's modelling the blouse, you are really WEARING the blouse. It looks amazing on you, and I'm SO pleased you kept it. STUNNING STUNNING photos too. xx

    • 3 May 2016 / 9:07 pm

      Awww Lisa thank you!!!!! That's a great compliment…! x

DISCLOSURE: Items marked* are PR products (I never accept anything I wouldn’t choose for myself) and my opinions are 100% honest. I also use affiliate links where I may earn commission if you click through and buy, at no cost to you.